Election for political control

Republicans currently wield tremendous power. The party controls the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, 31 state legislatures and 33 state governorships. But the political sands could soon shift dramatically. On Nov. 6, Americans will elect 435 U.S. representatives and 35 U.S. senators. Furthermore, constituents in 36 states will elect governors, and voters in 46 states will elect state senators and House members. Democrats are banking on a takeover of at least one house of the U.S. Congress. To gain a majority in the House, they need retake only 23 seats, and to control the Senate, Democrats just need to win back two seats.On Nov. 6, Kansans will elect a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, commissioner of insurance, all four U.S. representatives from Kansas, one state senator, all 125 state representatives, five state board of education members and various judges.Missourians will re-elect two-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill or replace her with Republican opponent Josh Hawley, Green Party candidate Jo Crain or Libertarian candidate Japheth Campbell. Seven-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s job is on the line, too. He faces Republican challenger Jacob Turk. Ten-term incumbent Sam Graves’s Democrat opponent is Henry MartinThe Kansas gubernatorial race has commanded national attention. The race for the Republican nomination was just decided late Tuesday night, Aug. 14 – a full week after the election. At a news conference after 8 p.m., Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer announced he was conceding to his opponent, Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Colyer said he’d spoken with Kobach and congratulated him. He threw his support behind Kobach and restated his “determination to keep the seat in Republican hands.”Kobach will face Democrat Laura Kelly, independent Greg Orman and Libertarian Jeff Caldwell in the Nov. 6 general election. The four candidates offer very different priorities and have very different visions for the future of Kansas. The outcome of the November election could potentially recalibrate the political environment here in Kansas, among other states, and nationally. There are considerations to inform how we vote. As a community, a state, a nation, what values do we embrace? What are our priorities? What is our vision for our world? Which, if any, of the candidates share our values, priorities and vision?

Nota bene:The deadline to register for adults who will be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 general election is Oct. 16 in Kansas and Oct. 10 in Missouri.